I was at the range today and i could hit most of my irons very sweetly. Felt really comfortable. Going straight to were i wanted them to BUT when im playing of the middle of the fairway then you name it (Shank, Slice, Hook, Top) everything seems to happen and i cant hit an iron.

Does this happen to anyone else and has anyone got any idea whats going on and how i can fix it. The only thing i could think on was on the course im trying to hit the ball and up the range im just swinging thriugh. Who knows

Please help, Im sick of just teeing off then using my 3 wood and PW followed by my putter

You have answered your own question, Andrew, it is probably all down to tempo, on the range it is nice and smooth with the ball just getting in the way and on the course the ball becomes the target and then all kinds of things can happen.

Try thinking of finishing your swing in an on balance position with your belt buckle facing the target. To achieve this, one has to go through the ball correctly.

Thanks John. I was not sure if it was because at the range i was coming off astroturf and the course grass, Would this make a lot of difference.

just out of curiosity Andrew

Do you take a divot with your irons on the fairway?

Is the fairway level or are there undulations?

Do you make any allowance for uneven surface when you setup and address your ball?

Do you know where your ball position is in relation to the bottom of your swing plane for each club?

I doubt it was because of the astro turf, even though it is a consistent surface to play from, whereas on the course the ground can vary with the amount of grass or lack of grass combined with the hardness of the ground.

Having played for so many years I find myself adapting to different ground conditions as a matter of course without even thinking too much about it.

We all have two swings, the practice one which is perfect and the real one which can become flawed on occasion.

 Sometimes take a divot, When hit a good shot.

The fairway is usally up and down, Now and then get a smooth surface but not much.

I think i try and just get the set up standard and just see how it feels and how it goes.

As for the ball position, I couldnt tell you, Just step up, Ball roughly were it goes and go for it. When i start to think about ball position, shoulders, legs etc etc then it usally starts to go wrong

Unfortunately, Andrew, ball position is a very important aspect of the game and at some time or other it would be wise to understand what happens with different positions.

As a quick basic thought, a ball played forward in the stance will give a higher ball flight than one played from the centre with one off the back foot being even lower.

just 4 more question Andrew,

what part of the ball are you focusing when you hit the ball?

do you see the ground where the ball was before turning your head with your shoulders to follow the ball?

Do you keep your chin up and head relatively still from your address through your back swing to striking the ball?

Does your head feel as though it dips down just before striking the ball?

I have the same problem, got a lot of good replies. I only hope you and I both sort this out asap, I get so frustrated about it and I imagine you do.

i blame the mats at the range,if thats what your hitting off,if you catch it fat off a mat, the club bounces and readjusts,if you hit it open or closed face the mat can also correct this slightly,if you hit it thin the mat spits the ball up slightly thus slightly correcting the flight, i hate mats at the range they give a false confidence,none of this is scientificaly proven just my thoughts

Just dead centre of the ball.

I have a bad habbit of turning my head early.

I think i keep my head pretty still, Couldnt be confident that i do though.

Couldnt really say if feel like head dips down, Something will try find out.

Its the matts im hitting off. Thats exactly what i was thinking, Though when i fluffed a couple they did fluff so not sure. Going for round on Monday and going to try using my irons a lot more